About 77% Of U.S. Women Breastfeeding Their Infants, CDC Survey Says

Main Category: Women's Health / Gynecology
Also Included In: Pediatrics / Children's Health;  Nutrition / Diet
Article Date: 02 May 2008 - 5:00 PST

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More than three out of four women in the U.S. are breastfeeding their infants at least briefly, according to a CDC survey released Wednesday, the New York Times reports. According to the Times, the percentage of new mothers who breastfeed for some period has gradually risen from 60% in 1993 and 1994 to 77% in 2005 and 2006.

The survey is a part of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, which involves in-person interviews and physical examinations. The findings are based on information for 434 infants from 2005 and 2006 (Harris, New York Times, 5/1). The survey found that the percentage of black infants who were breastfed increased from 36% in 1993 and 1994 to 65% in 2005 and 2006. During the same time period, the percentage of Hispanic women who breastfed increased from 67% to 80%, and the percentage of white women who breastfed also increased from 62% to 79%, the survey found. Breastfeeding rates were the lowest among women who were unmarried, low-income, rural, ages younger than 20 and had a high school education or less, according to the survey (Stobbe, AP/Google.com, 4/30).

The increase in initial breastfeeding among new mothers is partly associated with health campaigns that have aimed to educate women about the benefits of breastfeeding, as well as the risks of infant formula, the Times reports (New York Times, 5/1). Breastfeeding has been associated with a decreased risk of many diseases and conditions -- including ear infections, respiratory tract infections, obesity, eczema, sudden infant death syndrome and diarrhea -- among infants. It also is associated with benefits for women, including a reduced risk of the most common form of diabetes, and breast and ovarian cancer, according to CDC (Daily Women's Health Policy Report, 8/6/07). The American Academy of Pediatrics, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the World Health Organization and the American Academy of Family Physicians all recommend that women breastfeed exclusively for the first six months of their infants' lives. WHO and AAFP recommend women continue supplemental breastfeeding until the age of two, while ACOG and AAP recommend supplemental breastfeeding until at least age one (New York Times, 5/1).

Reaction

Former Surgeon General David Satcher celebrated the findings, adding, "It was very impressive that when it comes to beginning to breastfeed, African-American women have had the greatest progress" (AP/Google.com, 4/30). Barbara Philipp, an associate professor of pediatrics at Boston University, said the survey had not asked women whether they exclusively breastfed. She added, "One sip was positive, so they set the bar very low."

Some breastfeeding experts said that they were happy with the report's findings but noted that breastfeeding rates after six months of age have not changed and are significantly lower than the goals set by government agencies. According to the Times, the survey did not report breastfeeding rates for infants who are six months old because of lack of data. The findings are "encouraging, but I think there is still more to be done to improve the rates at six months," George Saade, director of the Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine at the University of Texas Medical Branch, said (New York Times, 5/1).

CDC's report on the survey is available online.

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